Attachment for type-writers.



Patented Aug. 6, I90]. W. J. RYTHER & B. A. DOLE.

ATTACHMENT FOB TYPE WRITERS. (Applieatiz in filed Nov. 22, 1899.)

. (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. RYTHER AND BERT A. OOLE, OF ST. 'PAUL, MINNESOTA,

ASSIGNORS TO THE SMITH PREMIER TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF'

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent N 0. 679,785, dated August 6, 1901.

Application filed November 22, 1899 Serial No.737,858. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAM J. RYTHER and BERT A. COLE, citizens of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Type-Writers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention pertains to attachments for type-writing machines, and is designed for ready application to the platen of type-writ ing machinesof any usual style or construction to hold in position on the platen cards, envelops, and other comparatively small papers or objects upon which it is desired to write.

Among objects sought to be attained by this invention are facility of application and removal of the device to and from the platen of the type-writing machine; firm and secure holding of the card, envelop, or other device along its entire top or edge and regardless of the space in the length of the attachment occupied by such card,envelop,or the like; to insure the firm retention of the device in place, and to avoid the presence of projections or overhanging portions extending materially inward from the clamped edge of the card, envelop, or other article, where they might be struck by the type of the machine, or the presence of any portion of the attachment beneath the paper, card, or envelop.

Our improved device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment removed from the platen; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the platen with the attach ment in place thereon and with a card or half sheet clamped thereunder; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view through the platen and attachment, showing the edge of a card or sheet inserted thereunder and showing also a pressure-roller and card or envelop guide used in certain well-known type-writing machines, though not constituting apart of the present invention nor necessarily used therewith; and Fig. 4, a similar view, but with the platen turned to bring the paper to printing position.

In the practical use of type-writing machines it frequently happens that small slips, cards, envelops, and the like require to be printed, and more or less difficulty has been experienced in properly holding the same upon the platen and presenting them to the printing characters. The present invention aims to overcome this difficulty in a simple and efficient manner.

To this end the attachment consists of a narrow strip 3 of metal or equivalent material of a more or less resilient nature curved or. bowed facewise in the direction of its length and formed or provided at each end with lateral gripping-arms which are bent or curved into hoop or ring form, as shown in the several figures of the accompanying drawings. The arms 2 being of the same character as the strip 3that is to say, of a somewhat resilient nature and bent into the form indicated, constitute spring-clasps or grippingarms, which may be opened sufficiently to be passed over or about platen A and which when in position thereon will contract sufficiently to clamp or bind the device firmly to or upon the platen. Owing to their form, constituting an extended arc of a circle, which when the device is detached from the platen should be of somewhat less radius than the platen A, the arms will tend to hug the platen closely and to make contact therewith at all points in their length or surface, this force being sufficient to overcome the outward pres sure incident to the longitudinal bowing of the strip 3 because of the shorter length of the arms measured from the point of connection with or branching from the strip 3. The bowed or curved form of the strip 3 insures initial contact of the strip at its mid-length with the platen and from that point to the arms 2, provided said arms hug the platen closely and draw the ends of the strip 3 down against the platen, as explained. It will be seen that the bowing of the strip 3 is a matter of some practical importance, in that it insures a firm hold of even a short or narrow card or paper introduced between the strip 3 and the platen A at any point in the length I of said strip, Whereas without such provision there is always a tendency or liabilityof the clamping-strip to hold more firmly at the ends or at one end than near the middle.

As shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the gripping-arms 2 are turned inward toward each other, and being rounded at their extremities they terminate in a comparatively narrow and somewhat sharp edge, which causes them to embed themselves slightly in the yielding surface of the platen, and thereby to prevent slipping of the device upon or relatively to the platen either longitudinally or circumferentially.

While we do notmean to restrict ourselves arbitrarily to the proportions shown in the drawings, it is nevertheless very desirable that the arms 2 at each end of strip 3 shall extend more than half-way around the platen, the drawings indicating approximately threequarters of a circle, andsuch measurement being desirable in order that the free ends of the arms may extend far enough aroundthe side of the platen opposite the strip 3 to firmly draw said strip down against the platen and hold it. Without spurs or equivalent devices something more than a half-circle will be necessary for the length of the arms 2, though with the free ends of the arms curved inward toward each other, so that their ends may embed themselves slightly in the platen, as indicated, it is possible even with only a halfurable firmness. As indicated, however, it is deemed preferable, and, in fact, important, to make the arms reach through more than half a circle.

On account of simplicity and cheapness of construction and for other reasons it is preferred to make the arms 2 integral with the strip 3, and thereby to avoid the necessity of brazing, soldering, or riveting the parts together. We do not, however, restrict ourselves to the integral construction. In whatever way formed, however, it is deemed desirable that the strip 3 be arranged: to bear directly against the platen and that the pa per, card, or other device enter beneath the V strip 3 or between it and the platen in order that there may be perfect contact of the card may be laid upon the platen and the holder sprung to place over and upon it. It will be noted, too, that there are no fingers, arms, or projections of any kind reaching from the strip or bar 3 downward over or acrossthe face of the card, envelop, or sheet and that consequently there is nothing which might by engagement with the type interfere with the proper travel of the carriage or platen or by coming in the path of the type cause them to be injured or battered.

In using the attachment the platen is brought to the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the bar 3 is lifted or sprung upward sufficiently to permit insertion of the top edge of the sheet, card, or envelop, and the platen is then rotated to bring the proper portion of the card, sheet, or envelop to position to receive the impression of the type or printing characters. This position will of course vary according to the class or character of typewriting machine on which the attachment is used.

In Figs. ,3 and 4 the pressure-roller 5 and guide-roller 6, guide-arm 7, front carriagebar 8, and adjustingescrews 9 and 10 of the wellknown Remington machine are illustrated. These serve as the platen is'rotated Zto curve the paper about and hold it in con= itact with the platen; but we do not restrict ourselves to the employment of these devices, inor, in fact, to any guiding or pressure devices, as it is possible to use the clamp or at tachment without such. As before indicated,

however, the device is intended for use with any ordinary type-writing machines and will be employed in connection with such guiding devices thereof as it may be deemed advisable to retain or use.

circle to retain the device in place with meas- In the drawings the arms 2 are represented 3 as extending both ways from the strip 3; but this is not essential. ;form wholly at one side of the connectingstrip or may project unequally from opposite sides thereof, the material point being that They may be in this they extend sufficiently about the platen to insure proper retention of the device thereon. So, too, we have shown and mentioned the longitudinal bowing of the strip 3. While this is preferred for the reasons noted,- it is not absolutely required or essential, and adevice otherwise in accordance with our invention, but omitting this bowing or curvature,

, we should regard as within our claims.

Having thus described our invention, What we claim is- 1. A card or slip holding attachment for type-writers, comprising a longitudinal bar or strip adapted to bear directly upon the platen, and spring-arms at opposite ends of said strip adapted to. pass around somewhat more than half the circumference of the platen, and by the spring action of said arms to draw and hold the connecting-bar firmly incontact with the platen.

2. An attachment for type-writing machines, comprising a. pair of spring-clamps adapted to partially encircle and to firmly claspaplaten or paper-roll; and a connecting-strip extending from one clasp to the other and adapted to receive beneath it and to clamp or bind directly upon the platen, a card, slip, or other body to be printed.

3. An attachment for type writing machines, comprising a longitudinal bar to press I said bar and adapted to partially encircle the platen or paper-roll, and by their inward pres sure to draw and hold the connecting-bar closely to the platen and to bind between said strip or bar and the platen, a card, slip, or other object to be printed, the bar being without projections of any kind above or below the paper, beyond the face of the binding or clamping strip.

5. A device of the class described, consisting of a pair of curved spring-arms, and a strip connecting said arms, said strip being inwardly curved as shown.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. RYTHERi BERT A. COLE. Witnesses:

ELGIE H. EvANs, H; S. JOHNSON; 

